Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Queens pols allow loss of Civic Virtue

Given the improbable journey of “Civic Virtue” since it was begun by the sculptor Frederick MacMonnies in 1920, nothing can be ruled out. The statue, known rudely as “Fat Boy” or “Rough Boy,” is about to become the best traveled public monument in city history, moving from the Bronx (where it was carved) to Manhattan (1922 to 1941) to Queens (1941 until the present) to Brooklyn, where it is to settle indefinitely in Green-Wood Cemetery.

The move was authorized Nov. 13 when the municipal Design Commission approved a long-term loan of the statue to Green-Wood. In a city preoccupied with cleaning up from Hurricane Sandy (Green-Wood suffered at least $500,000 worth of damage), the authorization slipped under the radar. A mayoral spokeswoman confirmed it on Monday.

Within months, perhaps by year’s end, the perennially controversial and increasingly crumbly 15-foot-high marble — an allegory of virtue standing atop the sirens of graft and corruption — will disappear from the prominent spot it has occupied for 71 years in Kew Gardens, at Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike, outside Queens Borough Hall.

It will be swallowed into the ornamented landscape of Green-Wood Cemetery, where it will stand at Jasmine and Garland Avenues. Surrounded by ornate mausoleums, memorial statuary and 560,000 dead bodies, “Civic Virtue” will be much less conspicuous. Make of that political metaphor what you will.

34 comments:

Anonymous
said...

The second largest marble statue in the world. Carved by the great American master sculptures .Relegated ro a cemetery, its a disgrace. Nyc dosent deserve that fine work of art. It should be given to the Smithsonian.Shows what that city really has become.

The quality of our "citizenry" has been on the decline for decades and continues. This fine piece of work is no longer appreciated in a public forum. Let it migrate to a new location where it will be well taken care of and appreciated. Expect something "contemporary" to take it place.

Cultural money cynically wasted on second rate projects spun from third rate minds.

Millions to rename bridges, remake the boro for questionable development, fill in the Astoria Park pool, while St Saviours rots in a box, the Steinway Mansion is touted as a 'club', the 300 year old Queens Plaza millstones photographed with street people sleeping next to them, Flessels leveled, Poppenhusan totters at the edge, and Bowne House is a ruin.

So a tiny cemetery gets saved and all the suspects come out to pat themselves on the back. Big deal.

As a matter of fact - this would be the perfect place for Queen Catherine, something that is a perfect fiction, but, because those in authority say its so, the peasants stand around with vacant smiles as they nod in agreement and dance around the facts.

They ain't saying a thing cause they would lose their 'gravy train' of 'ice cream money'.

Most of what passes for 'culture' in these parts would not rate a second glance elsewhere.

Voila. The NYC Design Commision's moving Civic Virtue to Green-Wood Cemetery magically eliminates that objection. The "spell" is removed through RE-LOCATION. You, the Queens Crap astute readers see the logic in that. Right?

Abracadabra.

From the nyc.gov website's page about the function of the Design Commission:

"Public Hearings

Projects are submitted for formal review and approval at the Design Commission's public hearings. The public is welcome to attend and give testimony. Those who plan to testify are encouraged to submit their testimony in writing in advance of the meeting date. Agendas are posted on the Design Commission’s Web site at least three (3) business days in advance of the public hearing date."

Now, my bubeles, rub your eyes and put on your glasses and read this again: PROJECTS ARE SUBMITTED FOR FORMAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL AT THE DESIGN COMMISSION'S PUBLIC HEARINGS. THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND AND GIVE TESTIMONY.

Of course, you the snoring public, YOU THE SNORING PRESS, can thank the Design Commission for not wasting your time holding a PUBLIC HEARING on this the statue's removal issue despite the above stated policy found on their nyc.gov website. How convenient.

If you have finally woken up from your slumber, of course you can contact the Design Commission and let them have it by phone, fax, and email here.

And while you're at it, Beautiful Dreamers, you can gently nudge awake your fellow snoring bedmates, your council member, to kindly ask why no hearings were held on this.

From the NY Times article: "...the authorization slipped under the radar."

Civic Virtue does not depict a nude man standing over 2 women. The figures are an allegorical representation of Greek mythology. Hercules stands over but not on top of 2 female sirens symbolizing vice and corruption, which Civic Virtue denounces in society. Some politicians cannot bear passing it en route to Borough Hall. Just examine the track record of those who had to step down in recent years due to their shattered oath not long after being elected to public office. This is a peaceful statue designed by the world-known Frederick MacMonnies, who was the last major American Beaux Art sculptor. Civic Virtue is public art that belongs to & in Queens. On behalf of the citizens of Queens who wish to secure its future where it has sat for 71 years, it is unethical behavior by Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the NYC Design Commission, and select "public servants" to concoct a deal to transport Civic Virtue to the privately-owned Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. This was not agreed upon by the Queens constituency. We pay our fair share of taxes. Join http://www.triumphofcivicvirtue.org

Spotted a piece of Queens Crap in your community?

Please note

Italicized passages and many of the photos come from other websites. The links to these websites are provided within the posts.

Why your neighborhood is full of Queens Crap

"The difference between dishonest and honest graft: for dishonest graft one worked solely for one's own interests, while for honest graft one pursued the interests of one's party, one's state, and one's personal interests all together." - George Washington Plunkitt

Sites that kick ass:

The above organizations are recognized by Queens Crap as being beneficial to the city as a whole, by fighting to preserve the history and character of our neighborhoods. They are not connected to this website and the opinions presented here do not necessarily represent the positions of these organizations.

The comments left by posters to this site do not necessarily represent the views of the blogger or webmaster.